Vikings delayed A shortage of funds has thwarted several attempts to conserve the Burnsall area's Viking artefacts and put them on display. Now, thanks to a £25,000 Heritage Lottery Fund 'Your Heritage' award, these deeply important and fascinating stones will be properly secured, displayed and interpreted. The permanent display will be housed within the village's St Wilfred's church. It will feature a unique collection of Anglo-Scandinavian sculptures dating from the late ninth to the 11th century. Artefact finds Project co-ordinator John Townend said: "Many of the artefacts were discovered under the floor of the church by workmen carrying out building repairs back in the 19th century. "One was found as recently as 1985 in the riverbank by visiting pupils from South Craven School. "The aim of the 'Vikings in Burnsall' exhibition is to explain how a few simple stones can tell an amazing story about life in the village around 1,000years ago. "We hope the display will draw extra visitors to both Burnsall and its church, which will continue to be open daily and free of charge." The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority will play a major role in interpreting the artefacts and presenting this information to visitors. Research conducted by members of the project team will be combined with input from academic experts to provide visitors with enlightening interpretation on the origin, meaning and significance of the stones, as well as historical information about the Vikings' presence in the Dales. Kate Geddes, Interpretation Officer at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority said: "Everyone knows the Vikings were in the Yorkshire Dales but Burnsall is one of the few locations where hard physical evidence exists. "Thanks to the forward thinking and hard work of the local community, these important artefacts can now be put on public display, where they belong." For more information please call the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority's Press Office on 01756 752748 or 0780 3238719. It's hoped that the exhibition will open to local people in time for the traditional Burnsall Feast on 22 August. An official opening is being planned for September. | 
